Posted on 02/18/2002 4:05:49 PM PST by RCW2001
Japanese-Americans recall the pain of World War II internment 60 years later
Monday, February 18, 2002
©2002 Associated Press
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/02/18/state1949EST0101.DTL
(02-18) 16:49 PST SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) --
It's been 60 years, but the pain of destroying her mother's kimonos and anything else of Japanese origin still stings Betty Haruko Nishi. She remembers all too well how the federal government forced thousands of Japanese to give up their homes and businesses to live in internment camps during World War II.
"Everything happened so fast. My dad's new tractor, we had to leave behind. We couldn't take anything Japanese," Nishi, 72, told the San Jose Mercury News. "It was horrible."
President Roosevelt signed an Executive Order on Feb. 19, 1942, forcing about 120,000 Japanese-Americans -- many of them U.S. citizens living on the West Coast -- away from their homes, jobs and farms and into 10 internment camps.
The U.S. government did not formally apologize or make reparations to internment survivors until 1989.
Former internees say they hope a lesson was learned from their pain and that others aren't treated the same during America's war on terrorism.
"I hope the same thing doesn't happen to the Middle Easterners," said Dave Tatsuno, whose family was forced to sell their store's merchandise and move to Topaz in the Utah desert. "Most of them are innocent like we were. The country has to be careful to never again fall into the trap of condemning a people due to ancestry."
Nishi had just celebrated her 12th birthday with her family in Turlock when she was sent to a filthy assembly center in Merced with her parents, five brothers and sister. Nishi's mother went temporarily blind with stress, and her siblings got pneumonia and ulcers.
Four months later, they shared two stark rooms in Amanche, Colo., and watched many young men leaving the camps to fight for the United States overseas. Ultimately, the all-Japanese 100th Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team suffered the highest casualty rate and became the most decorated unit in U.S. military history for its size and length of service.
"Looking back I remember the deep well of pain the experience caused my parents," Nishi said. "It is something that will always be in my heart."
Katie Hironaka, 82, also can't forget, even though she admits the camps -- in a strange way -- may have saved lives.
"What was done to us was wrong," said Hironaka, who was a new mother sent to Heart Mountain, Wyo., with her parents and brothers.
"And yet, there was so much prejudice and ignorance, who knows how many Japanese homes would have been burned, how many citizens would have been hurt or even killed if we had been around?" she said. "In that way it was good, and yet it was so terrible as well."
No, the judiciary interprets the Constitution into law, but every justice has his own opinion on each line of the Constitution. So the law of the land at any given time depends on who the justices are, with the Constitution as a guide. There is going to be a range where the laws fit in but the laws stay close to the Constitution. So there's no point in reading one person's opinion of the Constitution, because that person's opinion may be at the far end of the range, and you're basically moving the range from the ideal, which is the Constitution. It's much more accurate to just read the Constitution and develop one's own opinion. The justices through history aren't that much smarter than the average informed American.
As you wrote yourself, "I don't read opinions". /smirk
Nope, I sure don't. I read the founding fathers words and develop my own opinions. I think the founding fathers would approve, they weren't really into a class-based society. Supreme Court justices aren't that much better than the average informed American. Their word is law, though. Someone's has to be. When you have two justices at opposite ends of the range of opinion, that can be a big difference relative to each other.
I strongly suggest you get to church and enjoy a good sermon... like perhaps the Good Samaritan or the Woman at the Well in John 4.
I suggest you read where a country is not to allow outsiders to move in and take over.
You do believe that this is a nation under GOD... don't you? Oh yes, I forgot... You don't read opinion.
God's word is not opinion, it's absolute.
No national emergency is worth imprisoning 100,000+ innocents and absolutely killing our production as a result.
That's why most Hawaii Japanese Americans were not incarcerated.
There is no evidence to support your allegation of disloyalty among the hundreds of thousands of japanese americans in Hawaii throughout the duration of the second world war.
Also, your interpretation of the founding fathers not supporting a class based society reflects your SOCIALIST rhetoric and spin. Nice try!
The founding fathers of this great nation WERE quite aware of the classes and economic power of a Adam Smith capitalistic society.
It is equally unfortunate that liberal democrats still don conservative coats, while their liberal fangs drip the blood of innocent Americans.
Classless society is for socialists (which is what you really are).
Where does God's word say that a country is not allowed to protect itself?
No national emergency is worth imprisoning 100,000+ innocents and absolutely killing our production as a result.
Killing our production? I was under the impression that a big reason for our stomping of the Japanese and German respective arses was due to our better industrial capability of producing weapons of war.
That's why most Hawaii Japanese Americans were not incarcerated.
And Hawaii took the most damage.
There is no evidence to support your allegation of disloyalty among the hundreds of thousands of japanese americans in Hawaii throughout the duration of the second world war.
Except that little Pearl Harbor deal. You don't think they had intelligence from moles? You are naive.
Also, your interpretation of the founding fathers not supporting a class based society reflects your SOCIALIST rhetoric and spin. Nice try!
So you're saying the founding father tried to implement a class-based society?
The founding fathers of this great nation WERE quite aware of the classes and economic power of a Adam Smith capitalistic society.
So what are you, a monarchist? Japan was a manarchy, is that why you're so offended of how we protected ourselves from free roaming saboteurs in the 40's, unlike now?
It is equally unfortunate that liberal democrats still don conservative coats, while their liberal fangs drip the blood of innocent Americans.
Looks to me like people who pretend to be Americans but hate America are the ones with the most blood on their hands. I guess you've already forgotten 9-11.
Classless society is for socialists (which is what you really are).
So what class do you consider yourself to be in? I bet you want to return to slavery, if you think America should recognize class.
And how about it? Do you think Islamic-Americans are as loyal as all other slash-Americans?
I said: No national emergency is worth imprisoning 100,000+ innocents and absolutely killing our production as a result.
He says: Killing our production? I was under the impression that a big reason for our stomping of the Japanese and German respective arses was due to our better industrial capability of producing weapons of war.
Response: There you go again! Demogogic to the last (you must write for Pravda!). The point was that Japanese Americans were making massive contributions to the California and Hawaiian economy. They couldn't move the Japanese from Hawaii because of the impact on Hawaiian life. However, racists did just this maneuver in California!
Guess who took over the politics and economics?
Duh...Democrats?...GEEE...daauahght!
I said: That's why most Hawaii Japanese Americans were not incarcerated.
He says: And Hawaii took the most damage.
Response: The economic damage to the communities in California were MUCH worse than in Hawaii. So, PROVE your point with some gov't documents and facts. I know you can't... because you're totally incorrect in your statement.
In fact, the Hawaiian state economy may have benefitted from the war because massive War Department development in the Hawaiian Islands created transportation, power, and governmental infrastructure which was previously lacking. California, on the other hand, had massive farms that were dry for years because the farming was handled by Japanese American laborers. In addition, many fishing trawlers were confiscated by the government, sold to looters, and killed the livelihood of many. Only a socialist would claim that stealing farms is the American way.
I said: There is no evidence to support your allegation of disloyalty among the hundreds of thousands of japanese americans in Hawaii throughout the duration of the second world war.
He says: Except that little Pearl Harbor deal. You don't think they had intelligence from moles? You are naive.
Response: No, you simply refuse to face the fact that NO Japanese in America were ever charged with treason or even "unamerican" activities. The closest such legal proceedings ever came to such charges was the unlawful and unethical attempts to blackmail draft resisters in several of the concentration camps. These draft resisters, called "no-no" boys, were given ridiculous questionnaires which couldn't be answered positively because of the wording of the questions (not because of any disloyalty to our nation)!
Far from naive, if such moles existed, they have never surfaced nor were they members of the Japanese American community. One wonders if they were Russians. After all, it was the Russians who wanted revenge on the Japanese for the Russian losses during the Russo-Japanese War just 30 years before. Shall we discuss Port Arthur and the Russo-Japanese War? But, we digress. After all, you are more interested in tar-and-feathering an entire community of peaceful Americans instead of learning the TRUTH and seeing the TRUTH in the PROVABLE facts that we state.
You, on the other hand, are nothing but a rumor-mongering and hear-saying repeating liberal chameleon. You are active on other boards disrupting conversations and threads there also. So, what else is new in your life? Gone to a church service lately?
I said: Also, your interpretation of the founding fathers not supporting a class based society reflects your SOCIALIST rhetoric and spin. Nice try!
He says: So you're saying the founding father tried to implement a class-based society?
Response: It sure wasn't MARXISM! Sorry to disappoint you East-wind blowing and Red-China lovers! Light up a Havana Fidel! Hamilton, Jefferson, and the rest were a bunch of capitalistic entrepreneurs! Imagine that?
I said: The founding fathers of this great nation WERE quite aware of the classes and economic power of a Adam Smith capitalistic society.
He says: So what are you, a monarchist?
Response: Huh? How is it that your brain translates my comment into support for monarchy?
Tell me, where did you get your college degree? Moscow or Beijing?
He says: Japan was a manarchy, is that why you're so offended of how we protected ourselves from free roaming saboteurs in the 40's, unlike now?
Response: Nice try Commie! Japan is not a monarchy. It's a democratically elected government. Something Red China fails to be.
You are also incorrect in your analysis of the Japanese government in the 1930's. Japan was NOT run by the Emperor. It was primarily run by military war lords who were primarily Naval officers. There is a 300 year struggle for power between military commanders/daimyo's in Japan and the Emperor's leadership (which is primarily spiritual and not political).
The problem with FDR is that he had 12 years to resolve the conflict in Asia. But, like Bill Clinton, he failed to lead in both Europe and Asia. And, just like Bill Clinton, the following Republican Administrations have had to clean up the mess left behind!
I said: It is equally unfortunate that liberal democrats still don conservative coats, while their liberal fangs drip the blood of innocent Americans.
He says: Looks to me like people who pretend to be Americans but hate America are the ones with the most blood on their hands. I guess you've already forgotten 9-11.
Response: Do you actually believe the drivel you write? What an offensive and nonsensical bunch of garbage. What do you do to protect this nation's families from terrorism? Bore the terrorists to death with your political hate speech?
I said: Classless society is for socialists (which is what you really are).
He says: So what class do you consider yourself to be in? I bet you want to return to slavery, if you think America should recognize class.
Response: We profoundly note the lack of denial regarding our allegation that you are a socialist posing on this board. As we said before... YOU ARE A SOCIALIST!
He says: And how about it? Do you think Islamic-Americans are as loyal as all other slash-Americans?
Response: Yes. There is no judging loyalty by ethnicity. But, socialists like you have been trying to race bait our nation down the drain. I will not hate my friends who are Arab, Syrian, Iranian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Persian, or any other -ian ... including Chinese and Korean and Japanese.
But, then again, race baiting and hate mongering is YOUR tactic, isn't it? Where do you write from? Beijing, Havana, or Oakland?
Take a look at 9-11, idiot. The perps were of another race pretending to be Americans. In times of invasion and rebellion, a nation needs to protect itself from the enemy country and it's sympathizers.
If so, you are remarkably deluded! In fact, Christ intentionally ministers to non-Jews because he's proving a point in many passages.
Fine. Preach to them. But where we can watch them and keep them from killing thousands at a time and committing sabotage during times of rebellion and invasion.
He believes that people need to get out of their shell-like communities and be good samaritans. Perhaps you should heed some of those thoughts?
Show me the verses your speaking of and I'll respond. So in times of rebellion and invasion, God doesn't want us to fight the enemy?
Response: There you go again! Demogogic to the last (you must write for Pravda!). The point was that Japanese Americans were making massive contributions to the California and Hawaiian economy.
Then why was Hawaii attacked so successfully? Do you believe there were moles surveying the target? If you don't, you're naive.
They couldn't move the Japanese from Hawaii because of the impact on Hawaiian life. However, racists did just this maneuver in California! Guess who took over the politics and economics? Duh...Democrats?...GEEE...daauahght!
California is much more crucial because it's on the continent. If Hawaii was invaded, we could still win the war without our citizens being in too much danger. Not so with California.
Response: The economic damage to the communities in California were MUCH worse than in Hawaii.
I meant war damage.
Response: No, you simply refuse to face the fact that NO Japanese in America were ever charged with treason or even "unamerican" activities.
A lot of people who commit crimes don't get charged, because they don't get caught. Do you believe that there weren't any moles on Hawaii?
You, on the other hand, are nothing but a rumor-mongering and hear-saying repeating liberal chameleon. You are active on other boards disrupting conversations and threads there also. So, what else is new in your life? Gone to a church service lately?
You're an emotional monarchist idiot.
Response: It sure wasn't MARXISM! Sorry to disappoint you East-wind blowing and Red-China lovers! Light up a Havana Fidel! Hamilton, Jefferson, and the rest were a bunch of capitalistic entrepreneurs! Imagine that?
There's a big difference between a capitalist and a monarchist.
Response: Huh? How is it that your brain translates my comment into support for monarchy?
You believe in a class-based society.
Response: Nice try Commie! Japan is not a monarchy.
I said Japan was a monarchy.
It's a democratically elected government. Something Red China fails to be. You are also incorrect in your analysis of the Japanese government in the 1930's. Japan was NOT run by the Emperor.
Try to tell the people of the time that. The Japanese people saw the Emperor as a god. That's class-based society for you. Monarchy.
Response: Do you actually believe the drivel you write? What an offensive and nonsensical bunch of garbage. What do you do to protect this nation's families from terrorism? Bore the terrorists to death with your political hate speech?
So you're denying that it was a different race and religion that attacked the WTC? Who was it if it wasn't Islamics?
Response: We profoundly note the lack of denial regarding our allegation that you are a socialist posing on this board. As we said before... YOU ARE A SOCIALIST!
You want me to deny being a socialist? All you nutcases accuse others of being socialists, commies, fascists, nazis. After a while, the rest of us just ignore that kind of stuff because you're just marginalizing yourself with extreme language. But if you think I have to deny your accusations, I guess I'll do it right here. I'm not a socialist, commie, nazi, or fascist. I'm a Constitutional Republican.
Response: Yes. There is no judging loyalty by ethnicity.
Then you're an idiot.
But, socialists like you have been trying to race bait our nation down the drain. I will not hate my friends who are Arab, Syrian, Iranian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Persian, or any other -ian ... including Chinese and Korean and Japanese.
You can't judge a group by the individual or an idividual by the group, but you can see problems that exist within certain communties. The terrorists had help from Islamic-Americans. If you deny this, you're naive
Only socialists believe in the eradication of "classes" (which is what you are claiming to support).
This has little to do with the FACTS surrounding the false imprisonment of 120,000 Americans.
Your attempt to associate the 9-11 attacks with the Japanese American community are silly.
The type that believe in open borders, legal drugs for everyone, pedophilia?
You're no conservative.
I'm a conservative of the most tried and true, passed down through the centuries. I imagine you and your friends are of the more recent type who believe in the things mentioned above.
Only socialists believe in the eradication of "classes" (which is what you are claiming to support).
Only monarchists believe Americans are born better than someone else, depending on a class system made up for themselves.
This has little to do with the FACTS surrounding the false imprisonment of 120,000 Americans.
A necessary action in times of rebellion or invasion supported by the Constitution.
Your attempt to associate the 9-11 attacks with the Japanese American community are silly.
You are naive if you think that all Japanese-Americans were in support against the American war against Japan in WW2.
There was no rebellion or invasion by a foreign country in the OKC incident. As a matter of fact, Clinton probably eased the way for that action just so he could demonize Christians. That incident had "Reischtag" written all over it. Clinton studied Hitler's methods of propaganda, no doubt.
Have you written for Beijing?
You Propagandist!
You swallow camels and choke on knats. (Look it up in the bible if you don't know what I'm talking about.) I'd say a person that comes on a thread and accuses half the posters on that thread of being socialists and communists is the propagandist, and that's you. Go back to DU.
NOT!
Well I certainly don't believe that people are entitled to a certain level of lifestyle based on their circumstances of birth. And the Constitution does allow for suspension of freedoms in times of invasion or rebellion. Now go worship your Horihito Emperor shrine.
Try all the racist rhetoric you want.
The reality is the same... your racism and your socialist desire for "classless" society is MARXIST!
Lastly, don't tell me how to worship. I worship a sovereign Lord and Saviour...see John 3:16. Last time I read it, it applies to ALL people EQUALLY.
I don't think that there is many Americans that believe that are certain Americans that are officially entitled to comforts based on the circumstances of their birth. A person should either earn or inherit his luxuries, not recieve them from the rest of the people through government subsidy. So who do you want to be emperor? You?
Try all the racist rhetoric you want. The reality is the same... your racism and your socialist desire for "classless" society is MARXIST!
Then how much should the government subsidize these upper classes? And who do you think those people should be? You and yours?
Lastly, don't tell me how to worship. I worship a sovereign Lord and Saviour...see John 3:16. Last time I read it, it applies to ALL people EQUALLY.
You're the one that brought it up, idiot.
Why do you seek to attack entrepreneurial spirit?
Red winds blow
From Beijing and here
Socialist!
Where have I attacked entreprenuerial spirit? I attacked you for you belief in government subsidized elite classes.
Red winds blow From Beijing and here Socialist!
Disrupter.
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